Help with gardening in Mangawhai, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  I'm a young pensioner living on 4 acres of land (next to 25 acres of covenanted native bush) that I am re-wilding and creating some biodiversity for animals, insects and birds to find a safe home. There is a lot of gardening work but also small building projects too. As I have increasing arthritis in my joints I need people who are happy to work independently on their own once they're shown a job and are confident of what is required. I grow most of my own veg, make my own sourdough bread and live quite simply.
  Mangawhai is a vibrant community with a wonderful coastline of surf beaches, two great Farmers Markets, a Community Garden and walks in the Brynderwyns and the Mangawhai Heads Cliff Walk which is part of the Te Araroa trail.
  I am vegetarian with a lot of vegan food but I also occasionally eat fish. The accommodation is separate from the house (no bathroom, that's in the house), a lovely outside deck to sit on and a small cooking area in the Hobbit Hut for preparing breakfast and snacks for yourself, with food that I provide. I envisage us eating 2 meals together, which I'm happy to cook but love learning new recipes too.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I'm a typical kiwi but have traveled extensively, I am always delighted to meet people from different cultures. I work sometimes at the local Community Gardens, so if you're interested, I can introduce you to some colourful characters and see how awesome the garden is and the community support they provide. I also sing once a week with a small group of people

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  Help

  Ecological garden help, establishing diodiversity, small building projects (platform near Hobbit Hut to sit on in the midday summer sun, when the Hobbit Hut deck is too hot, erecting a wire fence, small hothouse), mow lawns, always house work to do on a rainy day etc. I do appreciate having someone who is used to outside garden work. I am also part of a trapping initiative (unfortunate but necessary, to establish native bird habitats here again) so help checking and resetting possum & rat traps if you are ok with that sort of help

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I speak fluent English and German, a few words of French and 2 sentences in Japanese but I am always open to learning more and have often had to speak slowly in English so people can understand me. I know how difficult it is to understand when native speakers talk so fast
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  Accommodation

  Separate Hobbit Hut with kitchenette and small table, large outside private deck area, very cosy.

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  What else ...

  Wonderful surf beaches, nesting spot of the critically endangered Tara Iti, Brynderwyns for walking, coastal walkways, Farmers Markets (2), fabulous cafes and the famous Bennett's Chocolate shop, art galleries, State-of-the-Art skateboard park, easy drive to Whangarei and the Hundertwasser Museum, Waipu glowworm caves, safe estuary for kayaking and swimming

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  I have unlimited broadband, the speeds aren't super fast but good enough to watch You Tube clips and movies etc.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  I have concrete areas where campervan/vans can park but no special caravan power plug

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4hours a day, 5 days a week

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